A pair of abstract artists will show their new work in Parksville in their first joint exhibition ever.
Taking place at the MAC in September, PUSH will include about 15 paintings and 10 paper-framed pieces from Michelle Contois, and about 20 pieces from Alex Peck-Whyte — Nanaimo artists with fine arts degrees from the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta, respectively.
Having started off with portraiture, still life and painting representationally, Peck-Whyte and Contois discussed their move to abstract work, and how the two friends have influenced each-other.
After being an interior designer for several years, Contois began focusing on painting once again about three years ago. That’s when her move to abstract work began, she said.
“I think it gives more room for the viewer to participate in the art,” she said.
“I would like to think of it as a little bit more of a conversation, than anything didactic on my part — that I have something that you must see, or you must know about. Because that happens anyway.
“Whenever you talk to someone about your art, I find it quite fascinating what other people see and what other people bring to it, and that becomes a bit of a discussion.”
Knowing Peck-Whyte for about four years now, Contois said it’s Peck-Whyte’s courage that’s influenced her most.
“She’s taught me to loosen up and to trust my own instincts,” said Contois. “She’s prolific and inspiring that way.”
The pieces Contois is showing at the PUSH exhibit will show her progress over the year, with inspiration that comes from a range of places — from the artwork of others, things she’s read, or even a stranger’s unique sense of style glimpsed on the street.
Peck-Whyte’s venture into abstract art began during a trip to Italy in her last semester of university.
“We were supposed to be painting realistic landscapes,” she said. “I was sitting at a marina and I was looking out, and I just started painting how being in that space felt instead of painting what I saw. And then from then-on, I continued to do that.”
Though Peck-Whyte originally meant for her abstract work to eventually influence her portraiture, she’s never really gotten back into portrait work, and instead has explored avenues she never thought she would, often with Contois.
“I wasn’t originally attracted to painting flowers, but I did an entire show last year commemorating my grandparents’ relationship in (abstract) florals,” she said.
“They passed away 54 hours apart, and they were married 73 years and their relationship was incredible. And so I tried to create their relationship in these florals.
“And Michelle really helped me through that show. She would come and give me critiques and ask me really important questions,” said Peck-Whyte.
She added that Contois has helped her figure out new ways to paint while injured recently, and that their relationship functioned as the inspiration for Peck-Whyte to finish her last piece for this upcoming show, which she’s named Knock-Knock — a reference to their discussions about each-other’s work, as well as their own.
The exhibit runs through September at the MAC in Parksville.
For more info, go to mcmillanartscentre.com/coming-september-2017/.
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